PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a disability rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence, but finds that there is insufficient evidence to establish a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed inservice stressors for PTSD. Further development is needed, including obtaining treatment records and verifying the events.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is found to be the result of personal stressors sustained during service, and therefore granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify a claimed stressor and determine if the veteran meets the criteria for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran has PTSD and found it was incurred in service. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a previously denied claim for hepatitis remains unresolved.

The veteran's PTSD before August 9, 2004 is rated at 30 percent.,The veteran's PTSD from August 9, 2004 is rated at 50 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no independent verification of the veteran's reported in-service stressors, and thus denied his claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board found no additional disability resulting from the January 1976 spinal tap, and thus denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of a spinal tap performed at a VA medical center in January 1976 resulting in low back pain.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date prior to February 13, 2004 for service connection of PTSD. The earliest date of receipt of a reopened claim was February 13, 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as there is no diagnosis of PTSD in the record and the evidence does not support a finding that the veteran engaged in combat or experienced an in-service stressor. The VA examiner found the veteran to have cocaine dependence and a drug-induced mood disorder, but did not find any evidence of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and readjudication due to inadequate discussion of the veteran's psychiatric symptoms in relation to the criteria for ratings above 50 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and otitis. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for substance abuse (alcohol and drug) as secondary to the veteran's service-connected PTSD. The veteran is also entitled to a disability rating greater than 30 percent for his PTSD.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD was productive of considerable social and industrial impairment, warranting a disability rating of 50 percent for the period from March 13, 1993 to January 13, 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a low back disorder due to lack of verification of claimed stressors. The other issues related to increased ratings were not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for post-traumatic stress disorder should be remanded to allow for further development of his claims, including verification of in-service stressors and a VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a current examination and proper notice under 38 U.S.C.A. § 5103(a).

The veteran is seeking an effective date prior to December 18, 2002 for a 100 percent rating for PTSD. The case has been remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice regarding the establishment of an effective date and whether there was a timely substantive appeal with respect to service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease as secondary to PTSD.